Mario Carrion

Mario Carrion of Ellicott City, Maryland, born on January 23, 1933 in Seville, Spain passed away at age 90 on February 25, 2023 in Catonsville, Maryland. He is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years Sally Ann Carrion, sons Jay Carrion (Maureen), Allen Carrion (Traci) and grandchildren Jeffrey Carrion (Emma), Bradley Carrion (fiancé Verity), Dean Carrion and Natali Carrion. In addition, he is survived by his sister Mari Carmen Carrion Mihura (Antonio) and brother Juan Carrion. He was preceded in death by his brother Manolo Carrion and sister Conchi Carrion Wilk.

Born and raised in Seville Spain, Mario became captivated by bullfighting around the age of five. At age 16, Mario began training as a bullfighter. He made his professional debut in 1952 in Tangier, Morocco. He became a full-fledged matador on May 31, 1955 in Caceres Spain and received his bullfighter’s doctorate. His performance that afternoon was one of the highlights of his career. He obtained four ears, a tail and left the ring through the “Puerta Grande”. He continued his bullfighting career as a matador in Spain, Portugal, Ecuador, Columbia, Peru, Guatemala, and Panama for five more years.

He met his wife, Sally Norton, an American in 1958 and after the birth of his son Jay, he decided to retire from bullfighting. He moved to Catonsville, Maryland where Sally's family lived. His second son, Allen, was born in 1970. When Mario moved to America, he had to redefine his life. He took night classes where he learned to fluently speak English. He went on to obtain a Bachelor's degrees in Sociology and in Spanish Literature and a Master's in Foreign Language Education at the University of Maryland. He became a teacher, and for thirty years, taught Spanish in Baltimore County and held the position of Foreign Language Department chairman until his retirement. During this time, he also became an avid tennis player.

In his retirement Mario enjoyed traveling back to Spain for visits, playing tennis and spending time with family and friends. He wrote many articles about bullfighting which were published in several electronic magazines and on his website. Although he had many interests, bullfighting was always his passion.

The family invites donations in Mario’s name to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sterlingashtonschwabwitzke.com for the Carrion family.